Mobile adds more to GDP than arts

Mobile devices are such powerful productivity boosters that they contributed 2.28 per cent to Australia’s gross domestic product. It was funded by ACMA and written by the Centre for International Economics and Analysys Mason.
Photo: Reuters

Playing Candy Crush on your Apple iPhone may look like a waste of time, but according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, the rising use of smartphones and tablets led to a $33.8 billion increase in economic activity during 2013.

The media regulator’s latest report, titled the economic impacts of mobile broadband on the Australian economy from 2006 to 2013, claims mobile devices are such powerful productivity boosters that they contributed 2.28 per cent to Australia’s gross domestic product. It was funded by ACMA and written by the Centre for International Economics and Analysys Mason.

“Without mobile broadband ... the Australian economy would be $33.8 billion smaller in 2013," the report said. “Australian households would have consumed $652 per person less in goods and services.

“Mobile data usage in Australia has been growing steadily since 2011 and is projected by Analysys Mason to increase almost four-fold from 2013 to 2017."

The report also predicted that 3G had almost hit its peak with next generation 4G services set to take the lead as more compatible devices come online. But importantly for productivity, it claimed the increasing time spent making phone calls and browsing the web was being done for a relatively small increase in cost for consumers.

The release of ACMA’s report comes at a critical time for the regulator with several powerful media companies lobbying for a cut in its powers.

Mobile services depend on spectrum, which is the electronic airspace needed for broadcast technologies like television and wireless internet to function.